Prince George, B.C.- The Mayor of Mackenzie, Stephanie Killam, says news the court has approved the sale of the Mackenzie Pulp Mill to a numbered B.C. company is welcome but she is still cautious “I won’t celebrate until the workers walk back across the sills to return to work, but certainly this is positive news.”

 

Killam says the news won’t mean the community will abandon its diversity plans, “We are still working towards securing fights to and from Fort McMurray, we continue to work on infrastructure development and work projects to keep our residents working.”

 

Killam says the Mackenzie Pulp mill is one third of the employment puzzle that faces Mackenzie and much more work will need to be done.  

 

The court also ruled the agreement between Canfor and the Mackenzie Pulp mill which called for Canfor to provide  chips , is valid.  Mayor Killam doubts Canfor  will reopen its sawmill in her community to meet it’s end of the agreement “My understanding is that Canfor will appeal that ruling, so there is still some work to be done on that matter.”  Canfor has until September 2nd to decide if it will appeal the decision.

 

The new owner, Dan White of Worthington Properties, plans to be in Mackenzie tomorrow.

 

The $20 million dollar offer to purchase is supposed to close on September 22nd   , the final price will depend on the status of the chip supply and meeting that closing date.